How does hydroponics work?

08/19/22 01:59 AM Comment(s) By Marc Prosch


Hydroponic

Sunlight, water, and soil are the three most traditional elements in gardening and farming. On the other hand, the hydroponics system may not be as familiar to you. Even a small DIY setup at home can benefit from hydroponic systems, which have revolutionized farming and food production. The first thing we need to know about hydroponics is what it is.


The process of hydroponics is to grow crops directly in water enriched with nutrients, instead of using soil to support the roots.

Getting started with hydroponics

Do you want to learn how to grow plants at home or with hydroponics, but you're not sure where to start? Want to upcycle materials from your home to create your own system? Homegrown hydroponically produces many benefits: you will never have to make a trip to the supermarket again, as you will have a constant supply of fresh, nutritious produce!

Basic types of hydroponic systems

A few different hydroponic gardening systems are available if you want to build one. Hydroponic systems in commercial settings use the following basic methods. Crafty gardeners often copy DIY hydroponic systems.


Drip hydroponics: By using a drip irrigation system, water is applied to the surface of net pots and drained out the bottoms. Plant roots don't dry out quickly because the bottoms of the net pots are enclosed.


Flood-and-drain hydroponics: Net pots are not in contact with water because it circulates below them. The roots of plants will be moistened by wicks made of absorbent material that soaks up water and transfer it upward. A container beneath the wicks is filled with water when it is time to water. Later on, the water will be drained into a reservoir so that it can be reused in the future.


Water culture hydroponics: Water is continuously applied to the roots of the plants. An air pump keeps the roots and growing medium moist by creating bubbles that make contact with the pots' bottoms just above the water level. The bottoms of the net pots rest just above the level of the water.


Aeroponic hydroponics: The bottom of net pots in an aeroponic system is wet directly, similar to water culture hydroponics. Under the plants, a misting system moistens the roots and growing medium instead of bubbling water.

How does hydroponics work? 

By managing the environment minutely, hydroponic systems maximize exposure to nutrients and water and temperature and pH balance. There is only one principle at the core of hydroponics: provide plants with what they need at the time they need it. A hydroponic system administers nutrients tailored to the needs of the plants being grown. Light intensity and duration can be controlled precisely. Monitoring and adjusting pH levels are possible. Growing plants is accelerated in an environment that has been tailored and controlled to meet their specific needs. 


Many risk factors can be reduced by controlling the plant's environment. A host of variables negatively impact the health and growth of plants grown in gardens and fields. Plants can contract diseases from fungus in the soil. It is possible for wildlife like rabbits to rob your garden of ripening vegetables.


Crops can be destroyed in an afternoon by pests such as locusts. In hydroponic systems, plants are grown without the unpredictability of outdoor and ground-grown plants. Seedlings can mature faster without soil's mechanical resistance. Fruits and vegetables grown in hydroponics are healthier and more nutritious because pesticides are not used. Plants grow vigorously and rapidly when there are no obstacles in their way. 

Rainwater Harvesting for Hydroponics

Growing plants hydroponically involves growing them in nutrient solutions rather than soil. In hydroponic systems, you can use tap water, distilled water, or well water. Is rainwater suitable for hydroponics?


You can use rain barrel water in your hydroponic system without worrying about contamination. There is no chlorine or chloramine added to rainwater, unlike tap water. Furthermore, rainwater contains fewer minerals dissolved than tap water. The acidity of rainwater also makes it perfect for plant growth. A simple rainwater harvesting system can be installed by hydroponic gardeners to collect rainwater.

What is Rainwater Harvesting?

Using rainwater harvesting, rainwater can be collected from impervious surfaces like roofs and gutters and stored for use later. It is also called rainwater collection when rainwater is harvested.


Rainwater harvesting systems can be used to water plants, flush toilets, and even provide water. Unless you are 100% sure you know what you are doing, I would not recommend drinking water from a DIY rainwater harvesting system.

Is It Okay to Use Rainwater for Hydroponics?

Using rainwater in hydroponics is definitely fine, but you'll probably have to treat it. Contaminants will be suspended in water that flows off impervious surfaces like roofs and gutters.


The cleanliness of the rooftop and water storage tank directly influences the quality of rainwater harvesting. Rooftop surfaces tend to collect dust, bird droppings, and leaves. Pre-treatment systems such as first-flush diverters and sediment traps can prevent the entry of these contaminants into your rainwater collection system.


Rainwater contamination is also affected by the amount of rain that falls in your area. Sediment and other contaminants can accumulate over time if it rains infrequently. In this case, the rainwater will be contaminated more. In storage tanks, rainwater usually has a pH of around 5.6, which is on the lower end of acceptable pH ranges for hydroponics (5.5-6.5).


Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use rainwater in a hydroponic system?

Your hydroponic garden can benefit from rainwater after it's been filtered. The rainwater you bring into your hydroponic garden could contain disease or parasites it's not used to seeing. You should inspect your water tank before using it for signs of pests or algae.


Do I need to change the water in my hydroponic system?

Water added to the top of the tank should be fully replaced on a regular basis, usually about every two weeks. It prevents the overgrowth of bacteria, fungi, and nutrients.


How do you purify water from a rain barrel?

In addition to filtration and chemical disinfection, boiling can also be used for water treatment. Chemicals and germs can be removed through filtration. When water is treated with chlorine or iodine, some harmful bacteria will be killed, but toxins or chemicals will not be removed. It is possible to kill germs with boiling water, but it is not possible to remove chemicals with boiling water.


Where are hydroponics used?

Water and crops are scarce in parts of Africa and Asia, where hydroponics can feed millions. Developing hydroponic systems for the space program is also important.

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